Wyoming
Fall kills climber and strands partner on Wyoming's Devils Tower
HULETT, Wyo. (AP) — A climber fell to his death while rappelling down Devils Tower, leaving his partner stranded without a rope on the face of the Wyoming geological formation.
The stuck climber was rescued unharmed after crying out for help Sunday evening, Devils Tower National Monument Superintendent Doug Crossen said Wednesday.
The death of Stewart Phillip Porter, 21, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Sunday, was the seventh climbing fatality in the park’s 118-year history. Some 6,000 people climb the formation every year.
The two were on a relatively easy climbing route called El Cracko Diablo. They had summited the tower and were headed back down when Porter fell.
How the fall happened was unknown. The accident was still being investigated, Crossen said.
Standing with sheer sides almost 870 feet (265 meters) above the surrounding countryside and a mile (1.6 kilometers) above sea level, Devils Tower is the world’s largest example of columnar jointing — fused pillars of igneous rock that formed as underground magma.
Established in 1906, Devils Tower was the first national monument and played a role in the 1977 film, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released a new documentary examining the challenges of managing bighorn sheep populations across the state.
The film, Carrying Capacity: The Hunt for Resilience, premiered online Jan. 19 and is now available for public viewing. Produced and directed by Snowday, the documentary focuses on how wildlife managers balance population growth, disease risk and long-term sustainability, using two Wyoming herds as case studies — the Jackson Herd and the Ferris-Seminoe Herd.
The film features perspectives from scientists, wildlife managers and hunters, highlighting how hunting and disease management play interconnected roles in conserving bighorn sheep.
According to Game and Fish, the Jackson Herd continues to face ongoing challenges from pneumonia pathogens and recurring outbreaks, while the Ferris-Seminoe Herd has remained largely disease-free. However, the Ferris-Seminoe population’s ability to grow and expand increases the risk of future disease transmission if population levels exceed the area’s carrying capacity.
To manage herd health and prevent overcrowding, Game and Fish has implemented targeted ewe and lamb hunts. Officials describe the strategy as a proactive approach designed to maintain sustainable population levels while protecting the long-term viability of Wyoming’s bighorn sheep.
The film was made possible through partnerships with organizations and companies including the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, Teton Conservation District, University of Wyoming Monteith Shop, and several outdoor industry sponsors.
Game and Fish also plans to host in-person screenings and panel discussions across Wyoming later this spring, with additional details expected to be announced soon.
The release of the film comes as research continues on the proposed Seminoe Storage Project, an area known to provide prime bighorn sheep habitat within the Ferris-Seminoe range. Wildlife officials say ongoing studies will help better understand how habitat conditions, population pressures and future development could affect the herd.
Weirdest Creatures in the Cowboy State
Wyoming’s animals are wild and weird. Pronghorns rocket across the plains, bison casually block roads, and sage grouse strut around like they own the place. Coyotes, eagles, and mountain lions pop up out of nowhere, making it feel like the state is one big, unpredictable wildlife show.
📣✨ State Spirit Competition in Casper
📣🏆 Cheerleaders, dancers, and stunt teams from across the state brought their energy, skill, and school pride to compete for top honors in cheer, hip-hop, jazz, gameday, and more. It’s an action-packed celebration of teamwork and talent you won’t want to miss! 💥🙌
Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore
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